Rent Red Dawn (2012)

Red Dawn review by Alyse Garner - Cinema Paradiso

A modern day reimagining of a B movie sleeper hit from the 80s is an odd move for a movie studio and Red Dawn is an odd film as the entire premise of Red Dawn was completely ridiculous, even in the 80s so not much has changed since then.

The story follows the trials of The Wolverines, a militia group inside America that is formed to fight the North Koreans who have invaded the country. They are led by soldier Jed (Chris Hemsworth) and his brother Matt (Josh Peck).

The film isn’t really structured around its story but its action which is a wise decision as the story is non existant and the characters are cliched stereotypes who spout out idiotic dialogue thats supposed to sound inspirational but leaves nary a cockle warmed. The action on the other hand is top notch as the director knows how to balance his visual effects with his action set pieces making most of the film rather entertaining at least from a visual standpoint. It really becomes a film that you can love and hate at the same time.

The film opens with one of the worst family reunions ever but its interrupted (fortunately) by some astounding visuals that has the desired daunting and astounding feel. It’s a film built to show big things get destroyed but not much else with a cast that lacks decent performances from Peck’s wooden lead to Isabel Lucas’ irrational and confusing Erica.

It’s not a lifeless film and it does something the original didn’t, it really shows the dirty aspect of the action, the amateurish yet fearless aspect of this kind of warfare giving the film a decent tone that is sullied by a story devoid of anything, anything at all. It’s a shame really because it’s a hoot when things go boom